Lot 57 , Picton, Thomas Sir (1758-1815). Two a/ls both to a Mr Black (unidentified) in Trinidad,

Picton, Thomas Sir (1758-1815). Two a/l's both to a Mr Black (unidentified) in Trinidad, The first inscribed London 18th September 1800, includes "I have been put to inconvenience by the failure of the Remittance from Admiral Cochrane £1,000 respecting which I have not received any explanation" and "brough me a letter from Brigadier General Balfour. He neither likes the inhabitants on the island [Jamaica] as well as Trinidad. He says that the soil in general appears of very inferior quality ...".
The second, dated 1st August 1803, includes "We are now under sail and Captain is nearly through the passage with a large portion of the company" and "The Rascal has been honoring the Tortolans [the largest of the British Virgin Islands] in his usual way. He is appointed Govenor in Chief of Trinidad and General Nyals? is using his circumstances until he has finished my prosecution, and then I am sent from close prisoner on board the Vinos - What an unpleasant Rascal!!!".
Sir Thomas Picton was a Welsh British Army Officer. He was killed fighting at the Battle of Waterloo and was the most senior officer to die there.
In 1797 he was made govenor of Trinidad and was later charged with excessive cruelty to slaves, including that of "picketing" (forcing a subject to be trussed up to stand on one toe for long periods), a charge for which he was eventually acquitted.
Contained in a red morocco Autograph album, mounted with numerous a/l's and autographs including:- Mrs Emily Wilberforce, The Bishop of Chichester, Lady de Rothschild, an a/l from Ellen Terry, dated 24th August '98 to Sir John Blundell Maple "Do send a few of your people during the next few days to the Grand Theatre Fulham, I say this to you because I know you are always "on the look out" to do "little kindnesses".

Estimate £300-500


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Sold for £500